Seattle Animal Shelter news and events

With more pets accidentally escaping from homes and yards during hot summer months, the Seattle Animal Shelter is taking this timely opportunity to remind Seattle pet owners that the best insurance policy to finding and returning your pet is a Seattle pet license. And to sweeten the deal, anyone purchasing or renewing a two-year license during the month of August will be eligible to receive a free personalized pet tag by visiting the Seattle Animal Shelter before the end of the year.

“We hope this incentive of offering free personalized pet tags will encourage more pet owners to purchase licenses for their pets, or bring their pets’ licenses up to date,” says Seattle Animal Shelter Director Don Jordan. “It’s also the right thing to do, as it helps reunite lost pets with their families and the revenue supports the life-saving work of the Seattle Animal Shelter.”

“If your pet is wearing its license and it shows up at the shelter, we will notify you that your pet is here. Or if one of our staff finds your licensed pet roaming free, we’ll return it to you instead of bringing it to the shelter. And, often an injured animal wearing a license is more likely to receive veterinary care if you’re not around,” adds Jordan.

Seattle Municipal Code Section 9.25.050 requires that all cats, dogs, miniature goats and potbellied pigs be licensed. Failure to license or renew your pet’s license could result in a $125 citation. All Seattle residents will be receiving a pet license reminder in the mail next week.

About 25 percent of Seattle pet owners fail to renew their licenses each year “While we know this is partially a result of pets dying, disappearing, moving out of Seattle or being given away, many pet owners simply forget to renew their pet licenses,” Jordan says. “This mass mailer offers a reminder and should eliminate the fear of receiving a citation if caught without a valid pet license.”

The Seattle Animal Shelter offers many convenient options for renewing or purchasing a new pet license: you can do it online or in person at any one of the City of Seattle Neighborhood Service Centers, at a number of vet clinics, retail and pet care services, and of course at the shelter, 2061 15th Ave. W., Wednesday through Sunday, noon to 6 p.m. For a full listing of sales locations or to renew or purchase a license online, visit www.seattle.gov/animalshelter/licensing-purchaserenew.htm.